'He has never felt completely recovered'

"He left the pitch because he was bothered in the same area that has affected him recently. He felt a strange sensation," Vilanova said.

"We will find out tomorrow whether he will be out for days or weeks."

Messi damaged his hamstring against Paris St Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals last month and has failed to make a full recovery since then making mainly substitute appearances, if at all.

"Although it might seem difficult to understand how we are managing Lionel's injury, it isn't easy," Vilanova added.

"He has never felt completely recovered and we have gone with how he feels. He was fine before the game and trained normally during the week. He didn't feel anything while playing until he felt a pain again."